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Published on: November 8, 2013
Effects of Adding Incentive Spirometry to Hospital-Based Cardiovascular Rehabilitation on Pulmonary Complications,
Bruna Elise da Silva Messias1,2, Thamires Alessandra Silveira da Silva1,2, Rafaela Anversa Schreiner2
1Graduate Program in Human Communication Disorders, Federal University of Santa Maria-UFSM, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Background And Purpose:
This study investigated the effects of combining incentive spirometry with cardiac rehabilitation compared with cardiac rehabilitation alone on postoperative pulmonary complications, clinical-functional recovery, and hospital length of stay in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
Methods:
Randomized controlled trial was conducted from May 2019 to October 2023 in two hospitals, including 46 inpatients undergoing cardiac surgery. Participants were assigned to incentive spirometry plus cardiac rehabilitation or cardiac rehabilitation alone. Both interventions were performed twice daily; spirometry used a volume-oriented device, and rehabilitation followed a seven-step protocol (2-4 METs). Outcomes included postoperative pulmonary complications, functional capacity (6-min walk test), handgrip strength, respiratory muscle function, and length of hospital stay.
Results:
The incentive spirometry associated with cardiac rehabilitation group had a longer extracorporeal circulation time (98 ± 26 min) than the cardiac rehabilitation group (76 ± 1; p = 0.008). Both groups showed a postoperative decline in respiratory muscle strength, and walking distance (MD: -64.37 m; 95% CI: [-24.1; -104.6]; d = 0.71), with no difference in postoperative pulmonary complications and handgrip strength. The incentive spirometry associated with cardiac rehabilitation group did not significantly differ on postoperative hospital stay compared with the cardiac rehabilitation group (MD: -1 day; 95% CI: [-4.71; 2.71]; d = -0.19).
Conclusions:
In this study, no additional benefit was observed with the addition of incentive spirometry to cardiac rehabilitation compared with cardiac rehabilitation alone. No significant differences were detected between groups in postoperative pulmonary complications, hospital length of stay, or clinical-functional recovery among individuals undergoing cardiac surgery.
Trial Registration:
Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (REBEC) under the number RBR-8tsjf97.
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Pulmonary Function Tests are crucial diagnostic tools for assessing respiratory function, particularly in patients with chronic respiratory disorders. They comprehensively evaluate lung volumes, ventilatory function, breathing mechanics, diffusion, and gas exchange. These tests help diagnose pulmonary diseases and play a significant role in monitoring disease progression, evaluating disability, and assessing response to therapy.
PFTs involve using a spirometer, a...